Prague, for us one of the must visit cities in Europe! The capital of Czechia, is a historic city known as the Golden City. Its UNESCO-listed Old Town boasts baroque palaces, Gothic churches, and picturesque streets along the Vltava River. Top sights include Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, the astronomical clock, and the Jewish Cemetery. This guide helps you explore the city’s highlights and timeless charm.
museums, hidden cafés, beautiful places and stunning river views
Prague is the capital city of Czech Republic and one of the most beautiful destinations in Central Europe. The city is located in the heart of the country along the Vltava River and is known for its fairytale architecture, historic streets and vibrant café culture.
Thanks to its central location, Prague is easy to reach from many major European cities like Vienna, Berlin, Budapest or Munich, making it a perfect destination for a weekend getaway or a longer Europe trip. The city combines centuries of history with a creative modern atmosphere, charming neighborhoods and some of the most stunning viewpoints in Europe.
Prague is one of the easiest cities to reach in Central Europe and no matter how you arrive, the city instantly feels magical. Whether you’re flying in for a weekend trip, traveling Europe by train, or road-tripping through Czechia, getting to Prague is simple, affordable, and part of the adventure itself.
Here are the best ways to get to Prague.
Flying is the fastest and most popular way to get to Prague. Václav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) offers direct flights from most major European cities as well as international connections from around the world.
Low-cost airlines like Ryanair, easyJet, and Wizz Air often have very cheap flights to Prague, especially outside the summer season.
From the airport, you can easily reach the city center by:
Travel time to the center is usually around 30-45 minutes.
Traveling to Prague by train is one of the most scenic and relaxed options, especially from cities like Vienna, Berlin, Budapest, or Munich.
Prague’s main train station, Praha hlavní nádraží, is located close to the Old Town, making arrival incredibly convenient.
Train travel in Central Europe is comfortable, affordable, and much less stressful than flying.
České dráhy (ČD) is the Czech national railway company and operates most of the national and international long-distance services, including the well-known EuroCity trains.
If you’re traveling on a budget, buses are often the cheapest way to reach Prague.
Companies like FlixBus and RegioJet connect Prague with hundreds of European cities daily. Modern buses usually include WiFi, charging ports, and comfortable seats.
Most international buses arrive at Florenc Bus Station near the city center.
While not the most common option, it’s actually possible to arrive in Prague by boat via the Vltava River.
River cruises through Central Europe sometimes include Prague as part of their itinerary, often combined with cities like Vienna, Bratislava, or Dresden.
Arriving by water offers a unique and unforgettable first view of the Czech capital.
Arriving by Car in Prague!?
Driving to Prague is a great option if you’re planning a Europe road trip or want to explore more of Czechia beyond the capital.
The roads from Germany, Austria, Poland, and Slovakia are generally very good, and Prague is well connected by highway.
However, driving inside the historic center can be challenging due to narrow streets, traffic, and limited parking. We recommend booking accommodation with parking or using public parking garages outside the center.
👉 Good to know: To drive on Czech highways, you’ll also need a digital motorway vignette.
Prague Castle is one of the largest castle complexes in the world, the seat of the Czech president and also the symbol of the city. The castle complex consists of palaces, administrative, church and fortification buildings, gardens and picturesque corners and was founded in the 9th century. St. Vitus Cathedral is located in the middle of Prague Castle.
You can buy tickets online or on site. A full ticket for an adult costs 450CKZ (around 18 euros). Children aged 6-16, full-time secondary school, university students up to age 26 and adults over 65 pay 300CKZ (around 12 euros). Families also pay less. If you buy the tickets online, remember to print them out.
The most important sights of Prague Castle include the entrance to the first courtyard, as well as St. Vitus Cathedral, St. George’s Basilica, Vladislav Hall in the Old Royal Palace and the Golden Lane. If you want to explore the castle complex in depth, you should plan at least 3 hours.
👉 Good to know: The castle is the most visited monument in Czechia with around 2 million visitors per year.
One of the city’s most famous landmarks is the Charles Bridge, a historically significant bridge over the Vltava River that was built in the 14th century. It is one of the oldest stone bridges in Europe. There are 30 statues lined up along the bridge, created by the most famous sculptors of their time. The Charles Bridge is one of the most popular photo opportunities in Prague and from there you have the perfect view of the unique Prague Castle.
The Charles Bridge is actually located relatively in the center of the city and connects the Lesser Town with the old town. It is over 500 meters long and can only be crossed on foot. The Charles Bridge is about half a kilometer and a 7-minute walk from the Old Town Square.
👉 Good to know: One of the beautiful statues on the bridge is that of Saint Nepomuk. Touching him brings good luck.
One of the coolest places in Prague is the John Lennon Wall. It is a street art and graffiti wall that has been painted with love poems and political messages since the 1960s. The wall became a symbol of freedom and resistance against the communist regime and a symbolic tomb for John Lennon after his death in December 1980.
The Dancing House is the nickname of an office building built in 1996 and is part of Prague’s more modern architecture. The project was designed by the world-renowned architects Vlado Milunić and Frank O. Gehry. It is a popular photo motif and a cool sight that you definitely shouldn’t miss.
👉 Good to know: The Dancing House offers its visitors a restaurant on the 7th floor and a bar at the top with a viewing terrace and a lovely view over the entire city.
One of the best views of Prague in good weather is probably from the Petrin Lookout Tower. The lookout tower is located on Petřín Hill and was built for the World Exhibition in 1891 as a copy of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The Petrin Lookout Tower is almost 60 meters high and has almost 300 steps. Tickets can be purchased online or on site and cost 220CKZ (around 9€).
The best way to get to the Petrin Lookout Tower is to take the funicular up Petřín Hill. It continues the tram connection from the Újezd stop. Two cars run along the 510-meter-long route, overcoming a height difference of 130 meters. The funicular runs almost every day from 8:00 to 23:00 and a ride costs around 24CKZ (around 1€) and can be purchased at the stop.
Also on Petrin Hill and right next to the observation tower, there is a building that looks like a small castle from the outside, but is actually a maze of mirrors. One of the most popular places for children and adults.
👉 Tip: Buy the combination ticket, which costs 260CKZ (around 10€) for the Petrin Lookout Tower and Mirror Maze
The Old Town Hall is located on the Old Town Square in Prague. The almost 70 meter high tower was completed in 1364 and was expanded and rebuilt until the 19th century. You can visit the town hall and there is a 360 degree viewing platform on the tower. Tickets can be purchased on site and cost 300CKZ (around 12€).
The Old Town Astronomical Clock is a world-famous clock from 1410, which is located in Prague on the south wall of the Old Town Hall on the Old Town Square. Every day on the hour between 9 am and 9 pm, the figures of the 12 apostles appear in the two windows. It is one of the most photographed sights in Prague.
👉 Good to know: The Prague Astronomical Clock shows different times: astronomical time, Central European time, Old Czech time and Babylonian time.
The Instagram spot from Prague is this endless book tunnel. It is located in the entrance area of the Municipal Library of Prague, which is one of the largest libraries in Prague. The oldest item in the library’s collections is a print of the Prague Bible from 1488.
👉 Tip: Make sure to come early in the morning. There are lots of people queuing up to take a picture with the book tunnel. We were there at midday and waited for over an hour
The Church of Our Lady before Týn is a Roman Catholic church in Prague’s Old Town. The two church towers are around 80 meters high and look like something out of a fantasy film. Entry to the church is free but donations are requested.
👉 Good to know: The church houses the oldest organ in Prague.
The Lucerna Passage, also known as the Lucerna Palace, is an entertainment and shopping complex in Prague’s New Town. In 2017, the palace was declared a national cultural monument. One of the most notable features here is the David Černý’s Upside-Down Horse statue. The passage also has a cinema and a lovely café.
Once you are here you need to visit one of Prague’s most popular tourist attractions, the rotating head of Franz Kafka. This monumental 39-ton sculpture is composed of 42 independently moving layers. Standing eleven meters tall, it depicts the face of the renowned Czech writer Franz Kafka. Created by artist David Černý, the kinetic artwork has been located next to the modern Quadrio shopping center since 2014.
👉 Good to know: The head rotates for fifteen minutes at a time and stops at the exact position twice an hour.
The Wallenstein Palace is the seat of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic. One of the largest buildings in the city with a beautiful large garden. It is a true oasis in the middle of the city with great views. The Wallenstein Garden is located below Prague Castle and is the second largest in the center of Prague. The pretty peacocks, fruit trees and ponds with giant koi carp, the Hercules statue and the stalactite wall are worth seeing.
It is a true oasis in the middle of the city with great views. The entire palace, including the garden, is open from April to October, Monday to Friday from 7:00 to 19:00, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 to 19:00. Opening times can vary, so please check carefully beforehand.
The Vltava is the longest river in Czechia at around 430 kilometers and meanders through the heart of Prague. It has its source in the Bohemian Forest (Šumava) and has long inspired artists, poets and musicians.
👉 Tip: Grab some good snacks and drinks and enjoy the sunset on the banks of the Vltava.
Letna Park is about 25 minutes‘ walk from Prague Castle. In this 25-hectare city park, you can spend your free time playing sports, taking walks or picnicking, or simply relaxing in the summer garden restaurant. The Prague Metronome, which is actually called Time Machine, is also located here.
One of the most beautiful buildings in Prague is the National Museum. It is the largest museum in Czechia and one of the leading museums of cultural and natural history. It is located on Wenceslas Square and houses around 14 million works of art.
👉 Good to know: The National Museum is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00 and admission costs 280CKZ (around 11 euros) per person. Tickets can be purchased on site or online.
When visiting Prague, you probably can’t miss the Powder Tower. It is a 65-meter-high gate tower on Republic Square and was built as part of the fortifications of the former royal court in the 15th century. The Powder Tower is one of the 13 fortification towers and gates that once surrounded the Old Town of Prague.
👉 Good to know: You can also visit the tower, which is open every day. Opening times vary depending on the season. You can easily buy tickets on site. At a height of 44 meters there is a walkway that offers an excellent view over large parts of the old town.
The Church of St. Nicholas in the Lesser Town is the most important church of the Bohemian Baroque and it’s one of the most important Baroque church buildings in Europe. The church is located on the Old Town Square and was completed in 1735. It contains sculptures by Antonin Braun and frescoes by Peter Adam the Elder.
👉 Good to know: It is one of the most important high baroque works and is considered a folk cultural monument.
A little outside the city but definitely worth seeing. You can get here very easily by bike or on foot. It takes about an hour to walk from Prague Castle to Troja Palace. The castle was opened around 1680 and is a great place in Prague that you should visit. Entry is free, but you have to pay for guided tours. Right next to the castle is the Prague Zoo and a beautiful wine-growing area.
One of the most beautiful and important baroque gardens in Prague. Not easy to find but definitely a wonderful place. The entrance is in a small alley between the two main wings of the Vrtba Palace at Karmelitská 25. Once you get here, you can take some really beautiful pictures and linger for a while and enjoy the great views over the city.
👉 Good to know: The garden is open daily from April to October from 10:00 to 18:00 and is closed in the winter months. You can buy a ticket on site and it costs 120CKZ (around 5€).
When we travel, we always save the best places we discover from hidden viewpoints and cozy cafés to beautiful beaches and must-see spots. To make trip planning easier, we created interactive travel maps with all our favorite locations in one place. Simply open the map and explore the places we personally visited.
Note: The buttons and images above link to our interactive travel maps hosted on Rexby, where you can explore all saved locations in detail. Thanks for your support friends!
Choosing where to stay in Prague can completely change your experience in the city. Some neighborhoods feel like stepping into a medieval fairytale, while others are perfect for nightlife, cafés, or a quieter local atmosphere.
The good news! Prague is surprisingly compact and easy to explore, so no matter where you stay, you’re usually never far from the city’s famous sights.
If it’s your first time in Prague, staying in Old Town is hard to beat.
This is the heart of the city, filled with colorful historic buildings, hidden alleys, famous landmarks, and beautiful squares. You’ll be within walking distance of places like the Astronomical Clock, Charles Bridge, and countless restaurants and cafés.
The atmosphere here feels magical, especially early in the morning or late at night once the crowds disappear.
👉 Perfect for:
Despite the name, New Town is still historic, just a little more modern and lively than Old Town. Here you’ll find trendy restaurants, cocktail bars, shopping streets, and some of Prague’s best nightlife. It’s also slightly more affordable while still being centrally located.
👉 Perfect for:
We have been to Prague three times in total and stayed in a different hotel each time. Whether you’re looking for a luxury hotel, a stylish apartment, a cozy 3-star city hotel, or a social hostel, Prague honestly has something for every travel style and budget.
Over the years, we tested different areas and accommodations and these are the places we personally stayed at and can truly recommend.
Vinohrady has become one of Prague’s trendiest areas.
It’s filled with brunch cafés, wine bars, local bakeries, beautiful apartments, and leafy streets that feel more residential and authentic. The area is less touristy but still well connected to the center by metro and tram. If you want to experience Prague beyond the main tourist spots, this is a fantastic choice.
👉 Perfect for:
Prague is honestly one of our favorite café cities in Europe.
Whether you love historic coffee houses, trendy brunch spots, or aesthetic specialty coffee cafés, Prague has an incredible café culture.
During our time in Prague, café hopping quickly became one of our favorite things to do, especially in the mornings before the city gets crowded.
Prague’s café culture goes back more than a century, and you can still feel that old-world charm in many places today.
Classic cafés with chandeliers, marble tables, and beautiful interiors are everywhere throughout the city. These spots are perfect if you want to experience the more romantic and traditional side of Prague.
Ordering coffee and cake here honestly feels like stepping back in time.
Over the last few years, Prague’s specialty coffee scene has grown massively.
The city is now filled with modern cafés serving excellent coffee, homemade pastries, brunch, matcha, and beautifully designed interiors that feel straight out of Copenhagen or Berlin.
👉 You’ll especially find amazing cafés in neighborhoods like:
These areas feel more local, creative, and less touristy than the Old Town.
If you love discovering cafés while exploring the city, these are our favorite areas:
Some of our favorite moments in Prague actually happened inside cafés.
Slow mornings with coffee and pastries, escaping the rain for an hour, editing photos while watching the city outside the windows, those small moments honestly became some of the best memories from our trips.
👉 Whether you’re searching for the perfect brunch spot, an aesthetic coffee shop, or a cozy place to escape the busy streets, Prague has some of the best cafés in Central Europe.
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If there is one city in Europe where you can eat your way through, it is definitely Prague. Here you have a large selection of good traditional restaurants, fancy cafés, street food, bars and much more. Czech dishes are reminiscent of Bavarian, Polish and Austrian cuisine. Very hearty with lots of meat, potatoes and cabbage. Best served with a beer.
We had a wonderful breakfast at Bistro Monk and can highly recommend it.
Among other places, we ate at the Staromáček restaurant in the old town. Here you have a nice atmosphere and good food. It can get very busy here, so we recommend that you reserve a table.
Another restaurant that we would definitely recommend is U Pinkasů. Just a few steps from Wenceslas Square, you can enjoy good Bohemian cuisine here or stop by for a freshly tapped beer. You can sit comfortably outside surrounded by the high walls.
Did you know that the first Pilsner Urquell was poured here in 1843?
Here are more restaurants in Prague that we can recommend:
Prague is one of those cities that feels magical in every season, but the experience can look completely different depending on when you visit. The best time to visit Prague honestly depends on what kind of trip you’re looking for.
Spring is one of our favorite times to visit Prague.
The city slowly comes back to life after winter, cafés open their outdoor terraces again, and the parks begin to bloom. Temperatures are comfortable, the crowds are still manageable, and Prague feels incredibly romantic during this season.
Especially in April and May, walking through the city feels almost cinematic.
👉 Why Visit Prague in Spring?
Summer is Prague’s busiest season and for good reason.
The city is full of life, street musicians play on Charles Bridge, outdoor restaurants are packed, and sunsets over Prague Castle are absolutely unforgettable.
The downside? Crowds. Especially around Old Town and the castle area, Prague can become very busy during July and August.
Still, if you love vibrant city energy and long warm evenings, summer in Prague is incredible.
👉 Summer Highlights
Autumn might actually be the most underrated time to visit Prague.
The city becomes quieter again, temperatures stay pleasant during early autumn, and the colorful leaves make Prague look even more atmospheric than usual.
This is also the perfect season for cozy cafés, slower mornings, and long walks through the historic streets.
September and October especially feel almost perfect.
👉 Why Autumn is perfect for Prague
Prague in winter feels like stepping into a Christmas movie.
The Christmas markets, lights, snow-covered rooftops, and historic streets create one of the most magical winter atmospheres in Europe.
December is especially popular because of Prague’s famous Christmas markets. The city feels festive, cozy, and incredibly photogenic.
January and February are much quieter and usually cheaper, although temperatures can get very cold.
👉 Winter highlights
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May
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June
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July
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Aug
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Oct
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Nov
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If you ask us?
We would come back in either
🌸 Spring (March-May) or
🍂 Autumn (September-November)
Those months felt the most “Prague” to us, lively, beautiful, but still relaxed. But Prague is basically a fantastic travel destination all year round.
Prague is very walkable, public transport works incredibly well, and most major attractions are located fairly close to each other. Whether you’re exploring the Old Town, visiting Prague Castle, or café hopping through neighborhoods like Vinohrady or Letná, moving around the city is simple and affordable.
Here’s everything you need to know about getting around Prague.
Walking is easily the best way to experience Prague.
The city is full of hidden alleys, historic streets, colorful buildings, and unexpected viewpoints that you’d completely miss underground on the metro. Most of Prague’s famous attractions are also located within walking distance of each other.
👉 Especially around:
Prague has one of the best public transport systems in Europe.
👉 The combination of:
makes it easy to get almost anywhere quickly and cheaply.
The trams especially are part of Prague’s charm. Riding through the city while historic buildings pass by outside honestly feels like a sightseeing tour on its own.
The metro is fast, clean, and very easy to understand. It’s the quickest way to travel longer distances across the city.
👉 There are three metro lines:
Most tourists mainly use Line A because it connects many of Prague’s famous sights.
If we had to choose our favorite way to get around Prague, it would probably be the trams.
They’re reliable, scenic, and give you a much better feeling for the city compared to the metro. Some tram routes even pass incredible viewpoints and historic streets.
Trams also run late into the night, which makes them perfect after dinner or sunset walks.
Public transport in Prague is very affordable.
👉 You can buy tickets for:
Tickets work across trams, metro, and buses.
👉 You can usually buy them:
Always validate your ticket before your first ride.
One of our favorite things about Prague was simply wandering without a plan.
Some of the best moments happened while walking through quiet streets, randomly finding hidden cafés, or jumping onto a tram without really knowing where it would take us.
Prague is the kind of city that’s best experienced slowly.
And honestly, getting around becomes part of the adventure itself.
No matter how you explore Prague, the city somehow makes every street feel beautiful.
After visiting Prague multiple times, we quickly realized that the best experiences often happened away from the main tourist spots, inside hidden cafés, quiet courtyards, local neighborhoods, or simply during slow mornings walking through empty streets.
Here are our best Prague travel tips, local recommendations, and hidden gems to help you experience the city beyond the usual guidebooks.
This might honestly be our biggest Prague tip.
Prague becomes incredibly crowded during the day, especially around:
But early in the morning, the city feels completely different.
Walking through Prague at sunrise with almost nobody around feels magical. The soft light, empty streets, and quiet atmosphere honestly make the city even more beautiful.
If you want photos without crowds, this is the time.
Old Town is stunning, but some of Prague’s best areas are actually outside the main tourist center.
👉 We highly recommend exploring neighborhoods like:
These areas feel more local, creative, and relaxed while still having amazing cafés, restaurants, bars, and beautiful streets.
You’ll get a much more authentic feeling for the city here.
Restaurants directly around Old Town Square are usually the most expensive and touristy.
👉 Some of the best food we had in Prague came from:
The food scene in Prague has become surprisingly good over the last few years.
Prague Castle is one of the city’s biggest highlights, but also one of the busiest places.
👉 If possible:
The atmosphere becomes much calmer, and the views over Prague are absolutely incredible during golden hour.
Some places and moments we personally loved most in Prague:
Those slower moments honestly became some of our favorite memories from Prague.
Compared to cities like Paris, Amsterdam, or London, Prague still feels relatively affordable.
👉 You can find:
for much lower prices than in many Western European cities.
Still, prices in the tourist center have increased over the last few years, so booking accommodation early is a good idea.
Prague is best explored on foot and the perfect way to see the city is a simple full-day walking loop.
Start in the Old Town early in the morning, then walk to the Old Town Hall and continue across the Charles Bridgewhile it’s still quiet.
From there, head into Malá Strana and take the funicular up to Petřín Hill for great city views at the Lookout Tower.
Next stop is Prague Castle, where you can explore the courtyards and viewpoints.
Finish your route at Letná Park, one of the best sunset spots in the city, before walking back down to the Old Town.
Yes, absolutely. Prague is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. With its historic Old Town, stunning architecture, cozy cafés, and river views, it feels like a fairytale city in real life.
We recommend 2 to 4 days.
Yes, tap water in Prague is safe to drink. But of course, it always depends on your stomach whether you can tolerate it.
Compared to Western Europe, Prague is still relatively affordable.
However, prices in tourist areas are higher than in local neighborhoods.
Yes, Prague is considered very safe for tourists.
We felt comfortable walking around even at night in the city center. As always, just keep an eye on your belongings in crowded areas like Old Town Square.
Yes, especially in hotels, restaurants, cafés, and tourist areas.
Outside the city center, English might be less common, but communication is still usually easy.
Definitely. Prague is safe, easy to navigate, and full of social cafés and hostels, making it great for solo travelers.
Most places accept card payments, even small cafés. However, it’s still useful to carry a small amount of cash for local markets or smaller shops.
The currency is the Czech koruna (CZK). Euros are sometimes accepted, but not everywhere and the exchange rate is usually not ideal.
Prague is not a city to rush through. The best moments often happen when you slow down, sitting in a café, walking without a plan, or watching the sunset over the river.
That’s when Prague really shows its magic.
